CDPH Lead Inspector/Assessor California State Practice Exam

For a venous confirmed blood lead level above 45ug/dL, how is the child classified?

1. Lead exposure

2. Lead-poisoned

3. Not at risk

4. Needs educational support

The correct answer is: Lead-poisoned

A venous confirmed blood lead level above 45 µg/dL signifies a serious health concern and indicates that the child is classified as lead-poisoned. This classification reflects a recognized threshold for lead toxicity, where levels above 45 µg/dL warrant immediate public health action, including medical evaluation and potential chelation therapy. This level of lead in the blood can cause significant damage to a child's developing brain and other organs, leading to cognitive deficits, behavioral issues, and various health problems. Therefore, the classification of "lead-poisoned" is necessitated at this point for both medical management and appropriate intervention strategies to minimize further exposure and address the health implications. In contrast, other classifications like lead exposure or not at risk do not adequately represent the severity indicated by such high blood lead levels. Educational support may be beneficial for children affected by lead but does not pertain directly to the immediate classification concerning their health status based on blood lead levels.